Fantasy Outfit: Cold Weather Casual

OK, so temperatures are (maddeningly) still in the 70s and 80s here in Southern California , so I'm spending a lot of time daydreaming about everything I'm going to wear when it finally does get around to cooling down. I decided to put together a casual outfit for wintry weekends, something comfortable and easily throw-on-able.

As a little kid, I thought there was pretty much nothing better than the off-duty-dancer look -- I always felt very cool sporting my tights, leg warmers, leotard and ballet slippers to the grocery store under a winter coat after ballet class. These days my pliés and grande jetés leave something to be desired, but I'm still inspired by that after-ballet-class aesthetic, and that's where this look was born. It's kind of...heavy metal ballerina on her smoke break:

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1.) Obesity and Speed continues to make me sick with desire with their new stuff -- this perfectly thin and slightly sinister t-shirt is for sure going on my Christmas list. It's the kind of thing I'd want to put on, like, every day. Obesity and Speed "Even Death Can Die" crew tee, $66, I Dont Like Mondays.

2.) Even though I rhapsodize about lipsticks pretty often here, I pretty rarely bring myself to actually slick it on, so I'm thinking about trying out the nude look for size. NARS' Velvet Matte Lip Pencils are already one of my favorite beauty products of all time and I'm dying to try out this light beige. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Belle de Jour, $24, Sephora.

3.) Too much leopard print in my teen punk days caused the spots to leave a bad taste in my mouth for years, but I'm starting to warm up to them again, at least in small doses. This little scarf does them right -- a little outsized and not too uniform, in a gray-and-black color scheme that will play nice with pretty much anything. Small woven leopard scarf, $32, Topshop.

4.) The whole dancer-off-duty thing is served best by minimal jewelry -- I went for this super-delicate gunmetal necklace dotted with a teensy-tiny horseshoe and skull. It's from the men's section, so it has a certain innate toughness that works here. Skull and horseshoe necklace, $40, All Saints.

5.) I like this coat because it's a traditional shape, hewn of heavy sweatshirt knit instead of the more standard wool blend -- it gives the whole thing a more casual, laid back air than a true winter coat would. Love the removeable hood. Knit coat with optional hood, $34.80, Forever 21.

6.) These little knit gloves, with their frayed ends, triangular cutouts, and rhinestone studs, are such a sweet twist on the standard fingerless leather biker glove. Full disclosure: the main reason I like them so much is because they would be mega easy to DIY. Free People ballet biker glove, $38, Need Supply Co.

7.) Leggings are a given for this look -- I like this pair with the haphazard slashes for their undone feel. "Helsinki" cutout leggings, $20, Lulu's.

8.) Clearly ballet flats are in order here. I actually just ordered myself this pair a few days ago. I really love the patent cap toe in contrast with the flat leather body -- classic and chic. Wanted "Pops" ballet flats, $35, Piperlime.